Every pregnancy is different. If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times. Your pregnancy is totally different from your mom and sister’s, and your first pregnancy is the complete opposite of what you experienced during your second. I craved watermelon, you craved bacon. I was sick every afternoon for 20 weeks, you were never even nauseous. I kept drinking my daily cup of coffee, you cut all caffeine. I would fall asleep anytime, anyplace, you struggled with insomnia. I gained way more weight than I expected, you wanted to gain more you did. And, the differences don’t stop at pregnancy.
Every birth story is different, as is how each mom handles the first month, as is how each mom raises their children. So, naturally, our birth plans will all be different as well. Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s Labor & Delivery team understands all of this and wants parents to have a say in their delivery experience.
Your personalized birth plan within the security of a hospital
With so much information available to expecting mothers and so many options, it is expected that each mother would want to develop a birth plan that fits their own wants and needs. EIRMC can do just that, and in some ways that might surprise you! No matter your preferences, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center will have mom and baby’s best interest in mind. The talented team of doctors and nurses will provide the highest quality of healthcare for you and your baby all while following a birth plan that meets your preferences so long as mom and baby are safe. And, all of this can happen within the comfort of a hospital that can provide extensive care for mom and Level III NICU care for baby, if need be.
Building your birth plan
The birth plan builder that EIRMC provides online is beyond helpful and so thorough! Find it here. The questionnaire walks you through every step of the whole process and offers options and ideas that I would not have considered or thought of on my own. I found myself just wanting to learn more about all of my options. When I was finished building this plan, I had learned so much about different opportunities for myself, my family, and my baby. 
More importantly, I felt informed and confident in the choices for my birth plan. I thought I had a good understanding of what I would want, but as I worked through building a plan I realized there are way more options than I had originally considered. Seriously, anything that helps me learn more about this wild pregnancy and childbirth journey the better! So, we’ve mapped out just some of the choices you get to consider as you build your birth plan at https://myeirmcbaby.com/birth-plan/
During Labor
What do you want to happen those wonderful hours right before baby is born and all the fun starts? Who do you want in the room and when? If you have a coach or doula, you can determine when you would like them to be in the room with you. Is there equipment would you like to help along the way? Birthing balls, bars, and more are all available. You get to decide if the room is quiet or if music is playing (check out the fun playlist builder here), how you’d like to stay hydrated, and even how much you would like to walk around during labor (which is made so much easier with a wireless fetal monitor!).
Pain Management
This section was such a learning experience! No matter your preference for managing pain – EIRMC has options for you. Want to stick with breathing and distraction techniques – you got it. Would you prefer Demerol, Nubain, or Stadol through an IV? Standard epidural? You can, also, determine when you’d like to have any pain medications – right from the start or just when you ask for them. Even if you’re early in your pregnancy and not quite ready to make these decisions, simply looking through your options allows you to research and discuss to find the option that is best for you.
Postpartum 
The hard part is over…okay, maybe not. Those hours following delivery are a little surreal and highly emotional, so having thought through some options ahead of time can help you, your caregivers, and your family. Again, considering options and building a plan is important but know that your doctors’ and nurses’ number one priority is always your safety and baby’s safety.
When do you want to hold baby? What medical exams and procedures would you like baby to have and when? Are there certain things you don’t want baby to have? How about feeding this new little bundle? Let the caregivers know your preference on formula or breastfeeding and any help you’d like with either of these. EIRMC knows how important family bonding is. There are no restricted visiting hours, so siblings are able to visit and stay as much your family would like.
Simply knowing what your options are is step 1 and this plan walks you through all of it! Create A Birth Plan serves as a way for you to think through your preferences for delivery and as a guide for conversations with hospital staff and your obstetrician. Can’t decide on something or want to consult your doctor? Choose all the options you want to consider and give yourself time to ask your doctor and research. Once complete, your plan can be printed or emailed to you. Revisit it a few times and make adjustments as needed. Nothing you put in this plan is set in stone, but it serves as a fantastic tool for you, your doctor, and Labor & Delivery to see that your birth experience is what you want it to be.
BONUS! This is fun. Let EIRMC build you a Childbirth Playlist. Take a short quiz with questions like “Where would you rather go into labor?” or your favorite baby name and they will suggest a playlist for your delivery. Whether or not you want music playing during labor – do this for fun and listen to it throughout your pregnancy. The resources don’t end with a birth plan and playlist though, https://myeirmcbaby.com/ is full of information about the services they provide. AND tons of and videos about pregnancy, delivery, and beyond. There are blog posts such as The ABC’s of Pregnancy and Severe Morning Sickness that makes for great reads. This is definitely a must-see resource for any mom.
Learn more about delivery and pediatric care at EIRMC ::
Just In Case: Why You Need To Understand Your Hospital’s NICU
We Have a PICU In Idaho Falls. Here’s Why That Matters To You
